I Hate Politics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

How to Build ADUs and Why We Are Not Building More Mar 03, 2023

Show notes

In early 2020, Montgomery County, MD, passed a new law which allowed owners of residential properties zoned for single-family homes to build Accessory Dwelling Units, ADUs, which are separate or adjacent structures designed for independent living, a way of allowing greater housing density. But few homeowners have taken the county up on it. To find out why, Sunil Dasgupta talks with architect Eric Saul who designed the county's first newly permitted free-standing tiny home ADU and with former HOA board member and lawyer Erik Herron on how county law on ADUs and state law on HOAs conflict. Music for this episode comes from Baltimore-based electronic music composer Shanika Freeman: neekofreeman.bandcamp.com. MoCo ADU Guidelines: https://bit.ly/3kxMuXX

Car Culture and Bike Lanes Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

After the Maryland State Highway Administration took away two driving lanes to install new bike lanes following the deaths of two teenaged bicyclists on Old Georgetown Road, communities along the street have been up in arms. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County Council Member Andrew Friedson and local resident Laura Chasen about rebalancing road safety and driving efficiency. Local news: apartment fire, bus shooting, and the Proud Boys hit Silver Spring. Music for this episode comes from Baltimore-based electronic music composer Shanika Freeman: neekofreeman.bandcamp.com. State Highway Analysis: https://bit.ly/3YXbdDE WABA petition: https://bit.ly/3IqOR6L #bikelanes #pedestriansafety #roaddiet #sharetheroad

Can Maryland Reduce Gun Violence? Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

With the Maryland General Assembly weighing several new gun-related bills, Sunil Dasgupta talks with State Senator Jeff Waldstreicher, vice-chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, about how Maryland can beat back the Bruen case, respond to a right-wing Supreme Court, and reduce gun violence. Local news on cannabis infrastructure. Music for this episode comes from Baltimore-based electronic music composer Shanika Freeman: neekofreeman.bandcamp.com Maryland state legislation search: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Search/Legislation. State Cannabis Workgroup materials: https://bit.ly/3I6J2Lj. #gunsense #momsdemandaction #guncontrolnow

MCPS Calls Fentanyl a Societal Crisis Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

Following an increase in fentanyl poisoning and deaths, MCPS and Montgomery County launch a full court press to try to stem the crisis. Sunil Dasgupta speaks with MCPS Medical Officer Patricia Kapunan and county anti-drug use actiovist and PTA leader Laura Mitchell to try to understand the scope of the problem and what MCPS is doing to bring it under control. Music for this episode comes from Rockville singer-songwriter Gabrielle Zwi. Check them out: https://www.gabriellezwi.com/music. Montgomery Goes Purple: https://montgomerygoespurple.org/ Montgomery County Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Advisory Council: https://bit.ly/3DU95nR Community message from Dr. Kapunan: https://bit.ly/3RJ7IOx

How Working From Home is Reshaping the Economy Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

The successful demonstration of work from home during the pandemic has led urban cores losing population and transit ridership plummet. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Nicholas Ramfos of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Transportation Planning Board about their "2022 State of the Commute" survey, and to Jordan Rappaport of Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City about his paper predicting a housing boom in the exurbs. Guests' views are their's alone, not their employer's. Music for this episode comes from Rockville singer-songwriter Gabrielle Zwi. Check them out: https://www.gabriellezwi.com/music. Rappaport paper: https://bit.ly/3HxhCOm State of the Commute: https://bit.ly/3jyhiad

A Low-Salt Diet for Our Roads Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

The arrival of winter snow and ice is met with millions of tons of road salt across the county, which corrodes infrastructure and automobiles goes into waterways, raising salinity levels even in drinking water and destroying plants and animals. Sunil Dasgupta walks with Abby Hileman of Izaak Walton League's Salt Watch Program and Karl Van Neste, a local salt advocate, about the problem and what to do about it. If you feel the crunch underfoot, that's too much salt. Music for this episode comes from Rockville singer-songwriter Gabrielle Zwi. Check them out: https://www.gabriellezwi.com/music. Montgomery County Salt Petition: https://forms.gle/mhNdVcJzBH15Jpys6

Disruptive Politics Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

Last October, the climate group Declare Emergency blocked traffic on the Capital Beltway in an effort to force President Biden to announce a climate emergency. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Will Regan and Nora Swisher, who were arrested and jailed for that action, and Paul Severance, the group's spokesperson to find out about their theory of victory. The episode includes a second interview Maryland state senator Ben Kramer about his claim to disruptive politics in proposing big changes to the agency responsible for land-use planning in Montgomery County. Music from Takoma Park bluesman Reggie Right-Eye and the Missing Pieces Band.

Bringing the Band Back Together Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

Twenty-five years after releasing their first album, Finster, a band originally formed in 1990s in State College, PA, release their second album, Crosswinds, on this episode. Listen to their music, how they came back together during the pandemic, and about the tough economics of local music. Kate Johnson on vocals and guitar, Doogie Whittaker on guitars, Howard Rabach on bass, and Matt Zelenz on drums. Streaming at https://finster96.bandcamp.com/ and your favorite music platform. Local news on bike lanes and Washington DC's plan to bring back residents after the pandemic.

Overcoming Polarization in Frederick, MD Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

In the 100th episode of the show, Sunil Dasgupta talks with narrowly-elected Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater about her campaign, her coalition, and how she intends to govern, offering a case study in managing political polarization. Frederick is living through contestation between newcomers interested in mainline pocketbook politics preferred by Democrats and Trump-inspired right-wing politics pushed by, among others, former Republican nominee for governor Dan Cox, who organized buses to take rebels to the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Music from Takoma Park bluesman Reggie Right-Eye and his Missing Pieces Band.

Previewing the 2023 Maryland State Legislative Agenda Dec 30, 2022

Show notes

With the 2023 Maryland General Assembly session starting in less than two weeks, the new governor and the new assembly not only will have to figure out which issues to focus on but also how to balance between them, all the while developing new marijuana legislation. Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC political science professor Roy Meyers and Maryland Association of Counties (MaCo) Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally to find out how they see the Assembly's priorities shaping up. Music from Takoma Park bluesman Reggie Right-Eye and his Missing Pieces Band. Happy New Year and for the last couple of days for 2022 giving:

Woman to Woman Mentoring

The Civic Circle

Project Linus Montgomery County Chapter

Action Committee for Transit

Urban Adventure Squad

The Senior Connection of Montgomery County

Miriam's Kitchen

UpCounty Prevention Network

Washington Independent Review of Books

VisArts Art Lab

Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad

Poolesville Green